WICB Media Release.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board have announced a squad of 19 players for a two-week training camp here, as the West Indies Under-19 side continues its preparation for the ICC Youth World Cup next year in Bangladesh

Squad

Kacey Carty

Jaeel Clarke

Shahid Crooks

Michael Frew

Jyd Goolie

Keon Harding

Shimron Hetmyer

Tevin Imlach

Ryan John

Alzarri Joseph

Kirstan Kallicharran

Obed McCoy

Keemo Paul

Akshaya Persaud

Gidron Pope

Akil Seetal

Keagan Simmons

Odean Smith

Shamar Springer

The 19 players have been chosen following the Regional Under-19 Tournament which concluded three days ago here.

The camp will be staged until August 17 with training taking place at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies and the Kensington Recreation Park nestled in the urban Jamaican community of Rollington Town.

The training sessions will be conducted under the guidance of West Indies High Performance coaches Graeme West and Vasbert Drakes.

The Selection Panel have also invited a number of Jamaica Under-19 players to be part of practice matches with the training squad.

Special invitees

Brad Barnes

Ramone Francis

Leonardo Friginette

Miguel Smith

Jevoy Spencer

Oshane Thomas

WICB Media Release.

Jamaica Observer article.

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is heaping praise on local organisers in south-central Jamaica for the management of the recent Regional Under-19 cricket tournament.

"I am very, very impressed," Courtney Francis, chief executive officer of the JCA told Jamaica Observer Central by telephone on Friday.

The tournament, which was restricted to one-day games, lasted from July 22 to August 2, with Guyana successfully defending their title with a four-wicket win over Jamaica in the final at Manchester High School.

Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Windward Islands, and guest team Canada participated. The tournament was hosted at venues in Manchester, St Elizabeth, Clarendon, and St Catherine.

"The tournament went really, really well," said Francis. "There were 22 games and only one started late, one game was washed out, which no one could have had control over... Transportation, accommodation, food, playing facilities... no complaints," said Francis.

Good spectator support at some venues, especially at Ewarton in St Catherine and Manchester High was particularly pleasing, said Francis.

The JCA executive expressed optimism that the business community throughout south-central Jamaica would have benefited considerably since more than $20 million was spent on transportation, accommodation, food, playing facilities, and related activities during the tournament.

The JCA was also pleased that it had not lost money as a result of hosting the tournament, said Francis.

"What has happened here is that the local organising committees have given us good reason to consider them when opportunities to host events arise the in future," said Francis.

While Jamaica had to settle for second place, the performance of the tournament's Most Valuable Player, Odean Smith, provided a lift for local cricket watchers. The strongly built, power-hitting 18-year-old all-rounder scored 127 runs at an average of 31.75 and a strike rate of 153. Smith, a student of Maggotty High School in St Elizabeth, took 13 wickets with his aggressive seam bowling.

Other notable standouts included the flamboyant Guyanese left hand opening batsman, Shimron Hetmyer. The 18-year-old West Indies Under-19 representative has already played four first-class matches for his country and he looked a cut above the rest in the Under-19 tournament, scoring 331 runs at an average of 55.17 and a strike rate of 117.4.

Three Jamaicans, Smith, Michael Frew and Shahid Crooks were named in a 30-man training squad for next year's Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

First Published In The Jamaica Observer.

TTCB Media Release.

Couva, Trinidad - Trinidad and Tobago fast bowler, Akeel Seetal is focused on being selected on the West Indies Under-19 team to compete at the ICC Youth World Cup in Bangladesh next year.

Seetal is currently engaged in the West Indies Under-19 training camp at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica. The other players from Trinidad and Tobago selected for the 19-man camp are Jyd Goolie, Kirstan Kallicharan and Keagan Simmons.

The camp commenced on Monday with the players collecting their official training kits and attending a mental preparation session. Physical training and outdoor drills started today as the technical staff continues to evaluate the players.

The national Under-19 fast bowler divulged that he has achieved his first goal of making the training camp and is now focused on being selected in the final squad.

"I have been working hard for a really long time and I set my mind to making the training squad. This was a major goal from the start of the Regional Under-19 tournament. Knowing that I am in the West Indies training squad and I have a chance of making the final squad makes everything complete," said Seetal. 

The Cane Farm United player explained that playing at a ICC Under-19 World Cup has been one of his major goals since progressing through the youth ranks in Trinidad and Tobago.

"Well honestly it is my dream as a youth cricketer to play at Under-19 World Cup. I just want to be there, I want to play and perform, I want to make everyone happy and proud, especially those people who have been working hard with me. I want to show people the hard work they invested in me did not go to waste," said Seetal.

He revealed that his strong performances at the Regional Under-19 tournament has enabled him to enter the camp with a great deal of confidence and is looking forward to proving his credentials to the coaching staff and selectors.

"Right now my confidence is at a high and I believe that if I do my best at this training camp I can make the West Indies Under-19 team. This is the approach I used throughout the Under-19 tournament and it has been working for me. I had a good tournament and I want to take that form into the training sessions and I am treating each session like it is the finals for a game so I can make the final squad," Seetal noted.

He added that the Trinidad and Tobago players in the training camp were keeping each other motivated and ensuring they are focused at all times.

"The comfort level is at a high because normally it's just me and Amir Jangoo but he is not here. It's a plus to have three others with me and we have been liming together. All of us are rooming kind of close so we are just chilling and talking to each other to ensure we stay focused and happy even though we are missing home.

TTCB Media Release.

Jamaica Star article.

Kingston, Jamaica - Manager of the Jamaica Under-19s, Junior Deans, believes fast bowling all-rounder Odean Smith, off-spinner Michael Frew, and batsman Shahid Crooks, have outstanding chances of making the West Indies Under-19 team ahead of next year's ICC Youth World Cup.

The trio were a part of Jamaica's team, which made it to the final of the regional Under-19 in Jamaica earlier this month.

Guyana won the decider by four wickets to put a back-to-back claim on the title.

"Smith is a budding all-rounder in the mould of André Russell, and apart from making the West Indies Under-19 team, I see him having the genuine potential to make it to the senior level as well," remarked Deans.

Show Improvement

"He strikes the ball cleanly, always backs himself, and clears the boundary very regularly.

"Frew bats and bowls well, and what he really has going for him is that he has a calm head.

"As for Crooks, he along with Smith and Frew, has been a part of the first West Indies Under-19 training camp, and continues to show improvement."

The trio, along with six other Jamaicans, are currently in training with on 18-man West Indies Under-19 squad at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

The six other Jamaicans are fast bowler Oshane Thomas, who Deans says has been bowling at an "impressive" speed, pacer Miguel Smith, batsmen Leonardo Friginette, Ramone Francis and Brad Barnes, and wicketkeeper, Jevoy Spence.

The training camp is a penultimate one before another in December, following which the West Indies selectors will choose 14 for the Youth World Cup, which will be held in Bangladesh.

The training camp will conclude tomorrow with a fourth and final practice match at Chedwin Park.

First Published In The Jamaica Star.

Jamaica Star article.

Kingston, Jamaica - Now that the Caribbean's top female umpire, Jacqueline Williams, has officiated at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Under-19 level, the next goal, according to the Jamaican, is to officiate at the regional first-class level.

The former Jamaica female cricketer, who was born in Westmoreland, umpired in five matches during the recent WICB Under-19 tournament, a first for a female umpire in the Caribbean.

This was an improvement on a similar experience at the WICB Under-15 tournament last year.

"The experiences were good, and taught me a lot, and for it I'm a much-improved umpire," said the 39-year-old.

"The next hope for me is to be selected to officiate at the regional first-class in the not- too-distant future."

Williams, who is the only female umpire on the WICB's panel of umpires, albeit on the second-tier 'B' panel, would be the first female umpire to achieve the feat if she does get to the first-class level.

This would put the St Andrew Technical alumni within her lifetime dream of being an international umpire.

"If I were to make it to the first-class level, that would be my next goal, as it is from there that umpires are adjudged before being given international status.

"That's the route I would like to take, and with God's blessing, and further opportunities, I am optimistic."

Williams, who began umpiring in 2007 at the age of 31, also outlined why she believes she can make it to the highest level.

"I have rubbed shoulders with the best umpires in the country, and think I have stood up well," the Portmore resident pointed out.

"I also believe I have garnered the respect of players, which for me is one of the most important things in umpiring."

First Published In The Jamaica Star.

TTCB Media Release.

Couva, Trinidad - Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 all-rounder, Anderson Phillip revealed that he is motivated to proved the regional selectors wrong after being omitted from the West Indies youth training camp in Jamaica.

Phillip was Trinidad and Tobago’s most outstanding player at the Regional Under-19 tournament. He finished with the most wickets for the national Under-19 team and had several stellar performances with the bat.

“Missing out on the West Indies Under-19 team has really motivated me. I was very devastated to learn of my omission and I am going to prove the West Indies selectors wrong. My goal right now is to claim a place on the Red Force team and I am going to take a lot of wickets so the regional selectors can never overlook my performances ever again,” said Anderson.

The Caldrac Sports player divulged that it was very difficult to accept his omission from the West Indies Under-19 training camp knowing that he was one of the best performers at the regional youth tournament.

“I was heartbroken knowing that I have been training so hard and when I got the opportunity I made good use of it by taking wickets and scoring runs. I had the most wickets for Trinidad and Tobago and I was very composed with the bat so it was heartbreaking to learn that I was not selected for the West Indies Under-19 training squad. Never the less I will continue to strive and work hard to make the Red Force team,” Phillip explained.

He revealed that his mental and physical preparation entering the Regional Under-19 tournament was immaculate which was reflected in his strong performances with the ball and the bat.

“I felt quite good as I entered the tournament because I was training hard for a while so that my performance would be at my best. I went in quite confident because I knew I would have gotten good results because of the hard work I put in,” said Phillip.

He continued, “I was on top of my game in Jamaica! Anytime I was called upon I did it for my country. I got important breakthroughs and I broke partnerships when my captain gave me the ball. I thought my performances were on point and I showed my value with the bat scoring important runs.”

Phillip has already commenced training with the expectation that he is invited to workout with the Red Force squad at they prepare for the West Indies Cricket Board Four-Day tournament.

“I am hopeful that the selectors invite me to train with the Red Force team and during these sessions I am going to prove my worth. Playing for the Red Force by the age of 19 was one of my goals. I am not to far away from this goal and I have already commenced training to ensure I can show the coach my full range of skills during training if I am invited,” Phillip said.

TTCB Media Release.

TTCB Media Release.

Couva, Trinidad - Kirstan Kallicharan is confident of making the West Indies Under-19 team after completing a successful training camp in Jamaica.

The all-rounder scored 108 runs and took six wickets from four practice matches held at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

“The practice game were not bad for me and I was happy with my performances with the ball and the bat. I thought my performances at the camp was strong even though I did not have much of a break since I went stright from the Under-17 tournament into the Under-19 tournament,” said Kallicharan.

The 15-year old was adamant that the West Indies Under-19 training camp was beneficial to his cricketing development.

“I thought this was a good experience for me since I got to learn from the other players at the camp and interact with different players from the region,” said Kallicharan.

He felt that his chances of being selected on the Youth West Indies team for the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh next year were significantly improved due to being an all-rounder.

“Knowing that I am the only leg-break bowler in the team and my performances were quite good during the practice games makes me confident about making the West Indies Under-19 team. I think my ability to bat in the middle order and bowl leg-break has boosted my chances. I just need to continue training and working hard and once I get good scores and take wickets I will have a good chance of being on the team,” Kallicharan explained.

The national youth player had to battle a fever during the Regional Under-19 tournament which prevented him from being at his best.

“It impacted me quite a bit since coming out from the Under-17 tournament in Tobago and having form it was tough stopping for a bit to recover. I did not play for a week and it was tough finding back my form in the Regional Under-19. I did not perform to the best of my ability but I did the best I could under the circumstances and I was happy with how I played.” said Kallicharan.

TTCB Media Release.

Kingston, Jamaica - The President's Chronicle for the month of August is now out.

You can now read in detail of all the latest happenings in West Indies cricket for the month of August via a downloadable PDF File below.

President's Chronicle

TTCB Media Release.

Couva, Trinidad - Merry Boys wicketkeeper/batsman, Amir Jangoo has become the second Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 player to be called up to the Red Force training squad.

He joins fast bowler Anderson Phillip in the training squad and will go straight into action this weekend in the first practice game at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva.

The Fatima College student revealed that he was elated about his inclusion into the Red Force setup after recently competing at the West Indies Under-19 Championships in Jamaica.

“When Kelvin Williams called and invited me to the Red Force training it was a feeling I could not explain to be honest. This was something I always dreamt of and it was just out of this world,” said Jangoo.

He added, “My family was really happy for me when they found out the news but at the same time they knew this is just the start. They let me know that this is the beginning of my journey and I need to put in the hard work.”

The former West Indies Under-19 player stressed that it is key for him to capitalise on this opportunity to further his cricketing career.

“I would like to go out there and work extremely hard, perform well and showcase my talent. I want the coaches to see my ability and I can do this by scoring runs and being efficient behind the stumps so the selectors know I am a long term option,” said Jangoo.

The inclusion of Jangoo to the Red Force training squad will intensify the wicketkeeping competition. Currently Steven Katwaroo is the Red Force’s first choice wicketkeeper with Denesh Ramdin playing when not on West Indies duty and Nicholas Pooran recovering from injury.

“I think the wicketkeeping race is very tough and the Red Force team has a top class wicketkeeper in Steven Katwaroo. It will be a very interesting competition but I am up for it and I am very motivated,” said Jangoo

He continued, “Trinidad and Tobago has a lot of top class wicketkeepers such as Denesh Ramdin and Nicholas Pooran so there is a lot of competition but at the same time it is about how you perform and the hard work that you put in. I think once you put in the hard work you will reap the rewards. Besides my glove work I am aiming to score runs and show my ability with the bat.”

The Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 vice-captain revealed that he is looking forward to meeting up with Under-19 team-mate Phillip at Red Force training as they make the transition from youth cricket to the senior level.

“Me and Andy have a really close relationship. I have been playing cricket with him since the Under-13 level so me and Andy have a really strong bond. We always motivate each other and we understand each other such as our strengths and weaknesses from playing together for so long,” said Jangoo.

He added, “Going through this experience with Andy means a lot to me because I think this is something we will cherish and we will now be sharing the dressing room with first-class players and that will be something special. We will also have first class coaches with us and just going through this new and exciting phase with a close friend will be something special.”

TTCB Media Release.

WICB Media Release.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board gathered for a regularly-scheduled, quarterly meeting of its Directors last Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here.

The following were the key reports received and decisions taken:

Benefit Match for Dominica

A Benefit Match between a WICB President’s Invitational XI and UWI Vice Chancellor’s Invitational XI is being organised to raise funds for the people of Dominica who suffered catastrophic damage from the passage of Tropical Storm Erika and continue to be affected by heavy rainfall. All proceeds from the match will be sent to the Government of Dominica.

The proposed date is Saturday, September 26, at Kensington Oval in Barbados. The teams will be drawn from the West Indies team preparing for the Tour of Sri Lanka and a combination of legends, prominent people and other sports personalities. It is expected to be telecast and a telethon will form part of the activities.

New Commercial Strategy for West Indies Cricket

The Directors agreed to a new commercial strategy which they hope will improve revenue inflows. The presentation was done by sports marketing agency, Pitch International.

Pitch International have identified four strategic objectives:

            1. Increase revenue,

            2. Create a clear commercial identity for West Indies cricket,

            3. Create a cost-effective marketing platform that delivers for commercial partners, and

            4. Establishment of a strong digital platform.

The WICB plans to roll out elements of the new commercial strategy in the coming months.

Economic Impact Assessment

The key outcomes of the Economic Impact Assessment which was conducted during the England Tour of the Caribbean earlier this year revealed that the region, as a whole, largely benefitted from hosting the three Tests.

The study revealed that generated gross expenditure related to the Tour was approximately US $73.2 million, of which the economic impact was US $59.8 million or 82 per cent of the generated gross expenditure. The lion’s share of this impact was driven by the spectators’ spend, i.e. US $50.1 million.

The study found that 15,660 unique visitors from overseas (including 3,150 on tour packages) came to the West Indies for the Tour and contributed to this figure.

A destination analysis was also provided to help the WICB understand the global media coverage and TV audiences during the England Tour, and the amount of brand exposure each of the host destinations received and the subsequent value of this coverage.

The key results were the advertising value equivalent was calculated at US $10 million and the quality index value was US $4.7 million. Of the total AVE value, the host islands Antigua at 40 per cent and Grenada at 39 per cent generated the largest shares, while Barbados at 21 per cent suffered from the reduced playing time of three days.

There were 1,477 verbal mentions of West Indies as a “brand” counted, generating a media value of US $1.1 million.

Cricket Matters

The Directors received a number reports on cricket operations and reviewed key recommendations, including reviews of recent performances by the West Indies men’s and women’s teams, the high performance programme, regional age group and women’s tournaments, as well as coaching and development programmes.

Director of Cricket Richard Pybus indicated the challenges faced with funding and running the game in the Caribbean were systemic in nature and proposed two measures to address them. They were the establishment of a West Indies Cricket Trust and a scorecard system for benchmarking the PCL franchises and development programmes. The Directors resolved to have further discussion on both measures.

The Directors also approved key details for the NAGICO Super50 Tournament which is scheduled between January 4 and 26 to be jointly hosted in Trinidad and St. Kitts. The tournament will be contested between the six PCL franchises, along with Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and ICC Americas. Full details of the tournament will be released later.

Finance Matters

WICB Finance has forecast the governing body will achieve a surplus of close to US $2 million at the close of the current financial year on September 30.

The Directors of West Indies Cricket Board comprise the nominated representatives of each of the six Full Members plus four independent directors. The meeting was chaired by WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron. Also present were the WICB Vice President, WICB Chief Executive and WICB Corporate Secretary.

WICB Media Release.

WICB Media Release.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Shimron Hetmyer has been named as captain of the West Indies Team for the International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup 2016.

The top-order batsman will play in the tournament for the second time. He was a member of the West Indies squad at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2014 in the United Arab Emirates.

He is one of two players in the squad with first-class experience along with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.

Hetmyer has played six matches for Guyana Jaguars in the WICB Professional Cricket League.

Joseph made his debut for Leeward Island Hurricanes a year go and has so far captured 17 wickets in five matches, with best figures of 7-46.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016 will be played in Bangladesh from January 22 to February 14.

Prior to tournament, the Windies will face Bangladesh in a three-match 50-overs series, which will form part of their preparation camp.

Speaking on the squad, Chairman of Selectors Clive Lloyd noted: “We have put together a group of players we believe will perform for the West Indies. We see them as future Test cricketers for the West Indies and this tour is an opportunity for them to be exposed at the international level against strong opposition.”

FULL SQUAD

Shimron Hetmyer (Captain)

Keemo Paul (Vice Captain)

Kacey Carty

Shahid Crooks

Michael Frew

Jyd Goolie

Tevin Imlach

Ryan John

Alzarri Joseph

Kirstan Kallicharan

Obed McCoy

Gidron Pope

Odean Smith

Shamar Springer

Emmanuel Stewart

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Dwain Gill (Team Manager)

Graeme West (Head Coach)

Corey Collymore (Bowling Coach)

Khevyn Williams (Physiotherapist)

Neval Grazette (Strength & Conditioning Trainer)

Dinesh Mahabir (Analyst)

WARM-UP SERIES SCHEDULE

Mon, January 11: vs Bangladesh – Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Thurs, January 14: vs Bangladesh – Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

Sat, January 16: vs Bangladesh –  Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

WORLD CUP FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE

Fri, January 22: vs Scotland –Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah

Sun, January 24: vs South Africa – Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah

Fri, January 29: vs England – Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

Sun, January 31: vs Fiji – MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong

Tues, February 2: vs Zimbabwe – Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

WICB Media Release.

WICB Media Release.

Barbados – The West Indies under 19 team departed the Caribbean this afternoon for Bangladesh where they will participate in the ICC Under 19 World Cup from January 22 to February 14.

The team will play two warm up matches before they open their account on January 28 against England.

WICB Media Release.

MIRPUR, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies Under-19s produced a weak batting performance to go down by eight wickets to Bangladesh Under-19s, in their opening one-day game of the three-match warm-up series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here Monday.

Sent in, the visitors struggled from the outset and were dismissed for 114 off 39.2 overs, with opener Gidron Pope top-scoring with 31 and Emmanuel Stewart getting 30.

Left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed ran through the innings with a spell of four for 24 while off-spinners Saeed Sarkar (2-9) and Sanjit Saha (2-14) picked up two wickets apiece.

In reply, Nazmul Hossain stroked 41 not out and Saif Hassan, an unbeaten 39, as Bangladesh Under-19s cruised to their target in the 21st over.

They lost Pinak Ghosh for three in the second over with eight runs on the board but opener Saif Hassan anchored two key stands to see his side home.

He added 38 for the second wicket with Joyraz Sheik who made 18 before putting on 70 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Nazmul.

Saif faced 68 balls and struck five fours and a six while Nazmul faced 36 deliveries and belted six fours and a six in an entertaining knock.

Earlier, West Indies Under-19s were going well at 80 for three in the 21st over before suffering a collapse where the last seven wickets crashed for 34 runs.

The left-handed Pope resisted, facing 41 balls and counting two fours and three sixes while Stewart struck two fours and a six off 66 deliveries.

They were two of three batsmen to reach double figures.

West Indies Under-19s are preparing for the ICC Under-19 World Cup bowling off later this month.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies Under-19s delivered another weak batting effort to go down by 171 runs in their second one-day warm-up game against Bangladesh Under-19s here Thursday.

In a worrying sign ahead of their campaign in the ICC Youth World Cup next week, the Caribbean side could only muster 128 all out off 49.3 overs, in pursuit of 300 for victory at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Keemo Paul, batting at number seven, top-scored with 25 while opener Gidron Pope hit 23, but were the only two batsmen to pass 20.

Left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon once again tormented the Windies Under-19s, picking up three for 19 while left-arm seamer Mehedi Hasan Rana claimed three for 35.

Seamer Mohammad Saifuddin finished with two for 18.

Pope and Shahid Crooks, who made 17, shared 31 for the fourth wicket to steer their side to 74 for three but once they were separated, the last seven wickets tumbled for 54 runs.

Earlier, Bangladesh Under-19s piled up a daunting 299 for five after opting to bat first.

Left-hander Pinak Ghosh stroked 109 off 135 balls with nine fours to lead the way while Nazmul Hossain chipped in with 79 and Mehedi Hasan, 54.

Bangladesh were stuttering at 44 for two in the 11th when Ghosh and Nazmul came together to add 179 for the third wicket – a partnership which deflated the Windies Under-19s.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was the best bowler with two for 50.

On Monday, the Windies lost the opening game by eight wickets in Mirpur in another poor showing with the bat.

The final warm-up game will be played Saturday at the same venue before West Indies Under-19s clash with Scotland in their opening game of the Youth World Cup on January 22 in Fatullah.

FATULLAH, Bangladesh, CMC – Medium pacer Keemo Paul bowled a great last over to earn West Indies Under-19s a dramatic tie with South Africa Under-19s in their second official warm-up game in preparation for next week’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Defending 153 for nine in a game reduced to 35 overs at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium here Sunday, the Caribbean side entered the last over with the young Proteas requiring just seven runs for victory.

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Scores:

WEST INDIES UNDER-19s 153 for nine off 35 overs (Keacy Carty 45, Tevin Imlach 24; Conor Mckerr 3-30, Dayyaan Galiem 2-30)

SOUTH AFRICA UNDER-19s 153 for four off 35 overs (Wiaan Mulder 58 not out, Liam Smith 39, Kyle Verreynne 33)

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However, Paul produced a top over which leaked only six runs and yielded the wicket of Rivaldo Moonsamy for 11 off the fourth delivery, with four runs left to get.

The result ensured that West Indies remained unbeaten in the official warm-ups ahead of their first outing in the main tournament against England in Chittagong next Friday.

Sent in, West Indies were propelled by an enterprising top score of 45 form Keacy Carty while number ten Michael Frew slammed an unbeaten 33 and opener Tevin Imlach, 24.

West Indies were slumping at 25 for two in the fifth over when Carty and Imlach came together to post 41 for the third wicket.

Carty faced 52 balls and counted eight fours and a six while Imlach struck five fours in a breezy 32-ball innings.

Imlach’s departure triggered a slide which saw six wickets tumble for 30 runs and it required Frew’s cameo, comprising three fours and two sixes off just 34 deliveries, to get West Indies past 150.

Fast bowler Conor Mckerr snapped up three for 30 while seamer Dayyaan Galiem claimed two for 30.

South Africa then seemed to be cruising to an uncomplicated victory at 113 for one in the 25th over before the game turned on its head.

Opener Liam Smith hit a patient 39 off 79 balls with five fours in a 68-run first wicket stand with Kyle Verreynne whose attacking 33 included two fours and two sixes and came from 31 deliveries.

When the right-handed Verreynne fell in the 15th over, Smith and top-scorer Wiaan Mulder came together to add a further 45 runs for the second wicket.

Mulder carved out an unbeaten 58 off 67 deliveries and crunched nine fours.

West Indies hit back, however, grabbing three wickets for 37 runs to force the game into a tight finish where they held their nerve well.

WICB Media Release.

Chittagong - The under 19 team bowls into action at 11:00 pm (ECT) today (January 28) against England and coach, Graeme West is confident his team will put up a good performance.

In the warm up games, the team had a comprehensive 148 runs win over Scotland; and a tie with South Africa.

In the warm-up game against Scotland, the Caribbean side produced two centuries in a 342-scoreline. The players, both from Guyana, were Tevin Imlach 100 (retired hurt) and captain, Shimron Hetmyer 136.

In the tied game against South Africa, though not as impressive on the scoresheet, there were promising performances from Keacy Carty (St. Maarten) – 45, Michael Frew (Jamaica) – 33 and Imlach – 24. That match was reduced to 35 overs. Both teams scored 153 runs – WI lost nine wickets; while South Africa lost four.

The West Indies is in Group C with England, Fiji and Zimbabwe.

Coach West says “the squad has worked incredibly hard over the last three weeks.” He noted that “the three match series against Bangladesh provided the team with a challenging first assignment but a great deal of learning took place and progress could be seen in the two warm up games against Scotland and South Africa.”

Additionally, West says that the coaching staff has focused the players on their specific roles and responsibilities and continues to grow the strong bond within the group that was developed at the training camp in Grenada before Christmas.

West believes that with “captain Shemron Hetmyer having appeared in a World Cup before, he will help to inspire the team to rise to the occasion and put on a show to make every cricket fan in the Caribbean proud.” The game will be live on ESPN Caribbean. 

WICB Media Release.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, CMC – Half-centuries from Keemo Paul and Gidron Pope failed to save West Indies Under-19s from a 61-run loss to England Under-19s in their opening game of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup here Friday.

Chasing an imposing 283 for victory at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, West Indies collapsed for 221 all out off 43.4 overs, with Paul top-scoring with an aggressive 65 and opener Pope gathering an equally fluent run-a-ball 60.

However, the Caribbean side were hamstrung by the loss of two wickets off the first four deliveries of the innings and never recovered.

Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood tormented the Windies with four for 42 while left-arm seamer Sam Curran (2-23) and leg-spinner Dan Lawrence (2-38) provided support with two wickets apiece.

Earlier, England paced their innings well to reached 282 for seven off their 50 overs, after opting to bat first.

Callum Taylor, with 59 and Lawrence, 55, stroked half-centuries while George Bartlett struck 48, James Burnham, 44, and Curran, 39.

Pope was the best West Indies bowler, picking up two for 45 with his off-spin.

England benefitted from several partnerships early on which provided the ideal foundation.

Lawrence, who faced 56 balls and counted eight fours, posted 43 for the first wicket with Max Holden (4) before adding a further 41 for the second wicket with Burnham.

When Lawrence was bowled by off-spinner Michael Frew in the 15th over, Burnham and Taylor put on 62 for the third wicket to give England momentum at the half-way stage of the innings.

Burnham lashed four fours and two sixes off 55 deliveries while Taylor faced 67 balls and counted three fours and two sixes.

Pope got the breakthrough in the 28th over when he removed Burnham caught and bowled but Bartlett anchored two key partnerships to sustain the momentum, posting 50 for the fourth wicket with Taylor and another 67 for the fifth wicket with Curran.

Then, West Indies started disastrously in reply, losing opener Tevin Imlach and captain Shimron Hetmyer both without scoring in the first over.

Off the second ball of the innings, Imlach pushed at one angled across him from Curran and nicked a catch behind and two balls later, Hetmyer missed a full length delivery and was adjudged lbw.

Pope and Keacy Carty, who scored 22, then revived the innings in an 84-run stand. The left-handed Pope struck six fours and three sixes while Carty faced 53 balls and hit a single boundary.

West Indies were finding their footing when Pope fell to trigger a slide which saw three wickets tumble for 19 runs in the space of 30 deliveries to leave them tottering on 103 for five in the 23rd over.

Pope missed a heave at Lawrence and lost his off-stump, Carty mis-timed a drive back to the same bowler two overs later while Shamar Springer drove at a wide leg-break from Mason Crane and was caught at slip.

Paul then took matters into his own hands, hammering seven fours and a six in a 58-ball innings as he dominated a 90-run sixth wicket partnership with Jyd Goolie who made 27 from 58 balls.

The partnership offered the Windies a flicker of hope but just when England appeared out of ideas, Mahmood grabbed his first wicket when Goolie holed out just inside the ropes at long-on.

His demise in the 40th over led to a terminal decline for West Indies as the last five wickets fell for just 28 runs in the space off 22 deliveries.

Scores:

ENGLAND U19s 282 for seven off 50 overs (Callum Taylor 59, Dan Lawrence 55, George Bartlett 48, Jack Burnham 44, Sam Curran 39; Gidron Pope 2-45)

WEST INDIES U19s 221 off 43.4 overs (Keemo Paul 65, Gidron Pope 60, Jyd Goolie 27; Saqib Mahmood 4-42, Sam Curran 2-23, Dan Lawrence 2-38)

ENGLAND

D Lawrence b Frew 55

M Holden c Springer b Joseph 4

J Burnham c & b Pope 44

C Taylor b Pope 59

G Bartlett b Springer 48

S Curran b Paul 39

+R Davies run out 1

B Green not out 9

*B Taylor not out 6

Extras  (b4, w11, nb2) 17

TOTAL (7 wkts, 50 overs) 282

Did not bat: M Crane, S Mahmood

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-84, 3-146, 4-196, 5-263, 6-266, 7-269.

Bowling: Joseph 10-0-34-1 (w4, nb1), Frew 6-0-37-1, Smith 4-0-27-0 (w4, nb1), Springer 5-0-42-1 (w1), Paul 5-0-24-1, Kallicharan 2-0-24-0, Goolie 9-0-45-0 (w1), Pope 9-0-45-2.

WEST INDIES

+T Imlach c wkp Davies b Curran 0

G Pope b Lawrence 60

*S Hetmyer lbw b Curran 0

K Carty c & b Lawrence 22

J Goolie c Lawrence b Mahmood 27

S Springer c Burnham b Crane 16

K Paul  c Bartlett b Mahmood 65

M Frew c B Taylor b Mahmood 7

O Smith c wkp Davies b Green 2

A Joseph not out 4

K Kallicharan b Mahmood 0

Extras (b4, lb2, w11, nb1) 18

TOTAL (all out, 43.4 overs) 221

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-84, 4-85, 5-103, 6-193, 7-207, 8-214, 9-221, 10-221.

Bowling: Curran 7-0-23-2 (w1), Mahmood 8.4-1-42-4 (w1), Green 4-0-40-1 (w2), B Taylor 6-1-28-0, Lawrence 10-0-38-2 (w2), Crane 8-0-44-1 (w1, nb1).

Result: England won by 61 runs.

Points: England 2, West Indies 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Dan Lawrence.

Toss: England.

Umpires: Ahsan Raza, Phil Jones; TV – C Shamshuddin.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, CMC – Shamar Springer struck a stunning hundred as West Indies Under-19s clobbered minnows Fiji Under-19s by 262 runs here Sunday, to pick up their first victory of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Sent in, West Indies stormed to 340 for seven off their 50 overs with Springer blasting 106 off just 78 balls, in-form opener Gidron Pope stroking 76 and Jyd Goolie, a breezy 66.

Seamer Cakacaka Tikoisuva finished with six for 59 from his ten overs.

In reply, Fiji could only muster a paltry 78 off 27.3 overs with Peni Vuniwaqa top-scoring with 29 to be one of just two batsmen to make it into double figures.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph did the early damage with three for 15 before off-spinner Gidron Pope ran through the innings with four for 24.

Behind Joseph’s devastating new ball spell, Fiji tottered at 13 for four in the seventh over and never recovered, and have now lost three straight games in the competition.

With their win, West Indies moved into second spot in Group C on two points alongside Zimbabwe. The two teams meet on Tuesday, with the winner clinching a post in the Super League quarter-finals.

Needing a strong result following their opening loss to England last Friday, West Indies fired from the outset as Pope and Tevin Imlach, who scored 36, put on 120 for the first wicket.

The left-handed Pope faced 77 deliveries and hammered 12 fours while Imlach struck six fours in a 40-ball knock.

Despite the strong start, West Indies slumped once the opening pair were parted, losing four wickets for 20 runs in the space of 29 deliveries with Tikoisuva taking the first three wickets to fall.

He claimed Imlach playing on, trapped Pope lbw with a full length delivery in his following over before having Keacy Carty caught at cover for one off a loose drive.

When captain Shimron Hetmyer edged an attempted cut and was caught at slip off off-break bowler Vaibhav Kapadia in the 23rd over, West Indies were left to rebuild.

Springer then arrived to spark the revival, lashing ten fours and four sixes in a rollicking 157-run, fifth wicket stand with Goolie, which snuffed the life out of Fiji.

Goolie, a left-hander, faced 75 balls and counted five fours and a six.

The right-handed Springer reached his first fifty off 42 deliveries. He moved into the 40s with a four and a six in the 37th over bowled by off-spinner Tuwai Yabaki and reached his landmark in the following over, with the second of three consecutive fours off Kapadia.

Springer needed only 32 more deliveries for his hundred, edging seamer Peni Vuniwaqa to the third man boundary to reach the landmark.

Facing a daunting total, Fiji’s job was made even more difficult when the impressive Joseph wrecked the top order.

With a single run on the board, he bowled T Veitacini with the third ball of the innings with one that seamed away and then trapped Delaimatuku Maraiwai lbw for four in the fifth over with a delivery that shaped back.

His new ball partner Ryan John then claimed Jordan Dunham for three at 11 for three in the sixth over before Joseph completed his top order demolition by producing a beauty of a delivery that jagged back to bowl Samuel Saunokonoko for two, as the batsman offered no stroke.

Vuniwaqa stood alone as wickets tumbled around him, facing 49 balls and hitting five fours before finally being ninth out, bowled playing back to Pope.

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Scores:

WEST INDIES U19s 340 for seven off 50 overs (Shamar Springer 106, Gidron Pope 74, Jyd Goolie 66, Tevin Imlach 36; Cakacaka Tikoisuva 6-59)

FIJI U19s 78 all out off 27.3 overs (Peni Vuniwaqa 29; Gidron Pope 4-24, Alzarri Joseph 3-15, Kirstan Kallicharan 2-21)

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WEST INDIES U19s

G Pope lbw b Tikoisuva 76

+T Imlach b Tikoisuva 36

*S Hetmyer c Vuniwaqa b Kapadia 6

K Carty c Veitacini b Tikoisuva 1

S Springer b Tikoisuva 106

J Goolie c Veitacini b Tikoisuva 66

K Paul c Maraiwai b Tikoisuva 19

M Frew not out 1

R John not out 2

Extras  (lb9, w14, nb4) 27

TOTAL (7 wkts, 50 overs) 340

Did not bat: K Kallicharan, A Joseph

Fall of wickets: 1-120, 2-135, 3-138, 4-140, 5-297, 6-333, 7-338.

Bowling: Vuniwaqa 7-0-52-0 (w1, nb3), Tikoisuva 10-0-59-6 (w2), Baleicikoibia 6-0-35-0 (w5), Charters 7-0-53-0 (w2), Kapadia 10-0-55-1 (w1, nb1), Veitacini 5-0-36-0 (w2), Yabaki 3-0-23-0, Tuitoga 2-0-18-0.

FIJI U19s

J Dunham lbw b John 3

T Veitacini b Joseph 0

D Maraiwai lbw b Joseph 4

S Saunokonoko b Joseph 2

P Vuniwaqa b Pope 29

C Tikoisuva b Pope 5

*+S Tuitoga lbw b Pope 12

J Baleicikoibia lbw b Pope 0

T Yabaki st wkpImlach b Kallicharan 8

V Kapadia not out 0

J Charters lbw b Kallicharan 2

Extras  (b1, lb3, w8, nb1) 13

TOTAL (all out, 27.3 overs) 78

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-10, 3-11, 4-13, 5-32, 6-57, 7-57, 8-74, 9-75, 10-78.

Bowling: Joseph 7-1-15-3 (w3), John 5-2-9-1, Springer 1-0-1-0, Paul 1-0-4-0, Pope 7-2-24-4 (w1), Kallicharan 6.3-1-21-2 (nb1).

Result: West Indies U19s won by 262 runs.

Points: West Indies U19s 2, Fiji U19s 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Gidron Pope.

Toss: Fiji U19s.

Umpires: P Jones, T Robinson.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, CMC –West Indies stormed into the quarter final of the Under-19 World Cup with a dramatic two run win over Zimbabwe amid controversy over a disputed run-out at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong  here Tuesday.

The Caribbean’s side victory stunned a crestfallen Zimbabwe and is being overshadowed by what is known as the “Mankad” controversy.

Windies pacer Keemo Paul broke the stumps and appealed for a run-out against non-striker, Richard Ngarava at the start of the final over of the innings.

Ngarava, whose bat appeared to be on the line as the bails came off, was given out after the umpires referred the situation to video review.

“Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties,”declared the West Indies captain, Shimron Hetmyer

“We’ve seen this in cricket before. It’s probably not in the spirit of the game, but we’re happy to have won.”

A blazing half century from Shamar Springer and a destructive four wicket haul from Alzarri Joseph highlighted the West Indies victory which at one stage seemed beyond their reach.

Springer top scored with 61 from 69 balls smashing seven fours and two sixes as Zimbabwe, who chose to field, restricted West Indies to 226 for nine from 50 overs.

Springer and Tevin Imlach, who scored 31, compiled 45 runs for the fourth wicket to help rebuild the innings which slipped to 97 for the loss of three wickets.

Imlach struck three fours in a patient and stubborn knock in which he also shared an opening stand of 42 with Gidron Pope who gathered 30.

A fiery spell from pacer Alzarri Joseph, four for 30, rocked the Zimbabwe top order reducing them to 97 for the loss of three wickets.

However opener Shaun Snyder with a top score of 52 and middle order batsmen Adam Keefe chimed in with 43 as Zimbabwe appeared to be coasting to their target nicely placed at 209 for six with five overs remaining.

But when Springer returned to break a 62 run stand between Keefe and Wesley Madhevere in the 45th over the tide turned in favour of the West Indies.

Springer,  who picked up two for 16 and  was named man-of-the-match, trapped Keefe lbw, and then bowled Madhevere for 21 while Rugare Magarira was run out for a duck to leave the last pair needing 10 more for victory.

The young Zimbabwe cricketers inched within three runs of victory, only to have their plans spoiled when Paul removed the bails.

“We got so close, no comment about it. I don’t have anything to say right now,” said the Zimbabwe captain, Brandon Mavuta.

“No comment.”

Although the dismissal was within the rules of the game departures of this kind tend to revive debate about sportsmanship.

Mankadding was named after the Indian player Vinoo Mankad, who removed the bails to claim a run-out against a non-striker in Australia in 1947.

Two years ago, Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake ran out Jos Buttler of England in similar fashion during a one-day international at Edgbaston.

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Scores:

WEST INDIES U19s 226 for nine off 50 overs (Shamar Springer 61, Tevin Imlach 31, Gidron Pope 30; Rugare Magarira 3-28, Wesley Madhevere 2-48.

ZIMBABWE U19s 224 all out off 49 overs (Shaun Snyder 52, Adam Keefe 43; Alzarri Joseph 4-30, Shamar Springer 2-16)

West Indies Under-19 won by 2 runs

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West Indies Under-19

G Pope LBW Magarira 30

T Imlach+ c Murray b Madhevere 31

K Carty c Murray b Madhevere 8

S Hetmyer* run out (Matigimu) 17

S Springer st Murray b Ives 61

J Goolie run out (Mashinge/Magarira) 12

K Paul c & b Mavuta 14

M Frew LBW Magarira 7

R John not out 16

A Josephc & b Magarira 0

O Smith not out 16

Total: 226/9 (50 Overs)

Extras: (lb 1, w 10, nb 3) 14

Fall of Wickets: 1-42 (Pope, 5.6 ov), 2-55 (Carty, 10.1 ov), 3-85 (Hetmyer, 15.3 ov), 4-130 (Imlach, 25.6 ov), 5-164 (Springer, 33.2 ov), 6-171 (Goolie, 34.6 ov), 7-188 (Paul, 38.6 ov), 8-191 (Frew, 40.3 ov), 9-191 (Joseph, 40.4 ov).

Zimbabwe Under-19 Bowling: Ngarava 5-0-41-0 (3nb,2w), Mashinge 5-0-26-0 (2w), Magarira 10-1-28-3 (1w),Madhevere 10-0-48-2, Matigimu 6-0-33-0, Mavuta 10-0-34-1 (4w), Ives 4-0-15-1.

Zimbabwe Under-19 (Target; 227)

S Snyder LBW Pope 52

B Sly b Joseph 5

R Murray+ b Joseph 4

J Ives c Goolie b Frew 37

WT Mashinge c †Imlach b Joseph 23

A Keefe LBW Springer 43

B Mavuta* c Imlach b Joseph 1

W Madhevere b Springer 21

K Matigimu not out 10

R Magarira run out (Hetmyer) 0

R Ngaravarun out (Paul) 1

Total: 224 All Out (49 Overs)

Extras: (b 4, lb 8, w 14, nb 1) 27

Fall of Wickets: 1-36 (Sly, 6.1 ov), 2-46 (Murray, 8.1 ov), 3-97 (Snyder, 19.5 ov), 4-143 (Mashinge, 32.1 ov), 5-145 (Ives, 33.6 ov), 6-147 (Mavuta, 34.6 ov), 7-209 (Keefe, 44.4 ov), 8-217 (Madhevere, 46.6 ov), 9-217 (Magarira, 47.4 ov), 10-224 (Ngarava, 48.6 ov).

West Indies Under-19 Bowling: Joseph 10-1-30-4 (1nb, 2w), John 3-0-22-0 (1w), Smith 3-0-24-0 (2w), Goolie 10-2-30-0(1w), Pope 8-0-38-1, Frew 5-0-20-1(1w), Paul 6-1-32-0(2w), Springer 4-0-16-2(1w).

Result: West Indies U19s won by 2 runs.

Points: West Indies Under 19s 2, Zimbabwe Under 19s 0

Man-of-the-Match: Alzarri Joseph

Toss: Zimbabwe Under 19s

Umpires: A Raza, P Jones

Guyana Times article.

Young rising cricketer Akshaya Persaud said he has learnt immensely from retired Guyanese and West Indian batting stalwart, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, noting that the record-breaking left-hander has had a positive influence on his career.

Persaud, a West Indies Under-19 selectee, was fortunate to rub shoulders with the 41-year-old Chanderpaul in the Guyana Amazon Warriors training camp last season, as well as the Guyana Jaguars camp.

Persaud was selected by the Guyana Amazon Warriors to form part of the youth component, while he is part of the Cricket Guyana Inc. Academy group, a feeder for the Guyana Jaguars- the senior national cricket team.

In an exclusive interview with this publication on Monday, Persaud, who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm orthodox spin, spoke of his experiences with Chanderpaul.

“Shiv would always tell me to keep it as simple as possible. Whatever the situation is, just keep your cool and you’ll eventually be successful,” Persaud related.

He added, “He would usually tell me that to chose my balls that I want to hit when batting and try to be as patient and focused as possible, and when bowling, try to identify the batsman’s strengths and weaknesses as early as possible. Apart from cricket, he would tell me to live life as a humble and simple person and not to be a person who always wants to be in the front seat of everything. He would normally say to me that once I’m a discipline person, everything and anything I would achieve, whether cricket or outside of cricket.”

Persaud said Chanderpaul is always resourceful, and would willingly share his vast knowledge of the game with young cricketers. The all-rounder, who hails from West Demerara, added that he has been the beneficiary of Chanderpaul’s enormous experience on several occasions.

“Shiv or “Paps”, which I sometimes call him, is a really cool person in the dressing room. He would normally give the players advice whether we’re batting or bowling. He would point out the areas that players are lacking in, and help them to strengthen those areas. “Paps” is an open person and I would normally ask him for advice a lot of times because he’s a senior player and has played cricket throughout the cricketing world and he would freely share his views on whatever I ask him,” Persaud explained.

Quizzed on what he would have learnt from the former West Indies captain, Persaud revealed that he was fortunate to be schooled on not just cricket, but life in general.

“I have learnt a lot of things from this great legend. Cricket, lifestyle and a lot more I have learnt from him. He would normally tell me that once I’m discipline, focus, believe in myself and in god, I’ll be a successful person in life. Also he would say that once you have the right frame of mind and thoughts before the game, and in any other situation, you’ll always be a winner,” Persaud concluded.

Chanderpaul announced his retirement from international cricket late last month, ending as the West Indies most capped Test player with 164 matches, and the West Indian with the second most ODI appearances with 268.

His 11, 867 Test runs and 30 centuries are second only to Brian Lara, while he amassed 8, 778 ODI runs with 11 hundreds, ending as one of only six West Indians to score more than 10 ODI hundreds. He was thrice ranked the world number one Test batsman.

First Published In The Guyana Times.